What it is: a well-rounded and in-depth examination of the meaning, history, and practice of empathy.

What sets it apart: Journalist Cris Beam also discusses how empathy can be exploited -- whether in corporate monetizing endeavors (such as targeted marketing) or in situations where empathy may be viewed as oppressive (such as "helping" non-trafficked sex workers who do not wish to leave the trade).

What it is: a patient-focused book exploring treatment options for Lyme Disease -- including lifestyle changes and supplements -- that are outside the scope of the Center for Disease Control's guidelines.

About the author: Darin Ingels is a naturopathic physician and a Lyme Disease patient.

Further reading: Readers looking for a more science-based book may want to try Conquering Lyme Disease by Brian Fallon and Jennifer Sotsky.

What it's about: In this "user's manual to the twenty-first century" (Kirkus Reviews), Joi Ito and Jeff Howe of the MIT Media Lab present an accessible framework for how to make sense of -- and adapt to -- evolving technologies and trends that eclipse traditional productivity methods.

Is it for you? Readers interested in exploring how technological innovations impact business practices will appreciate this "provocative gem" (Publishers Weekly).

What it's about: To aid in her post-concussion recovery, game designer Jane McGonigal created SuperBetter, a series of motivational "quests" based on video game strategies. Now a digital game, SuperBetter has been played by over half a million people.

Why it's significant: SuperBetter spawned a National Institutes of Health study, which found that the game improves participants' mental health and strengthens interpersonal relationships.

What it's about: Featuring neuroscience findings and time-management strategies, this thoughtful, Zen-inspired guide to "contemplative computing" explores technology addiction, its impact on the brain, and the steps that readers can take to unplug and recharge.

Try this next: Catherine Price's How to Break Up with Your Phone, a comprehensive 30-day plan which encourages focused, mindful usage of mobile technology.